Mailbox protective device

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a protective device for a mailbox assembly and corresponding methods for protecting a mailbox assembly. The protective device includes an upper shield adapted for attachment to a mailbox and a lower shield adapted for attachment to a mailbox post. Outer surfaces of the upper and lower shields are contoured to deflect forces away from the mailbox and the mailbox post, respectively. For example, the outer surfaces of the upper and lower shields may have rounded surfaces. Alternatively, the outer surfaces of the upper and lower shields may have angular surfaces. The lower shield may be contiguous to the upper shield. The upper shield and the lower shield can be formed as a single unit. The shields may be provided separately from the mailbox and post, or formed integral to the mailbox and post.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a protective device for standard ruralor curb side mailboxes which prevents damage from, for example, theimpact of snowplow debris and heavy winds.

Roadside mailboxes are often damaged by the impact of snow and debristhrown by snowplows. Mailboxes may also be damaged by heavy winds.Mailboxes are also the frequent target of vandalism, such as, forexample, teenagers smashing mailboxes with baseball bats.

Several attempts have been made to reduce the damage caused by thrownsnow and other debris to standard roadside mailboxes. These attempts maybe broadly described as either providing a heavier material thantypically used for a standard mailbox or providing a break-away actionto limit the damage caused by debris.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,326 discloses a one-piece device constructed of ahigh impact-resistant material having a high elastic modulus in order toresist applied forces and absorb energy. The device has a shelf portionfor supporting a regulation mailbox, an upwardly extending shroudportion and a downwardly extending skirt portion spaced from the shroudportion.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,113 B1 discloses a guard member so as to guard amailbox and/or a newsbox from damage such as that caused by plowed snow.

U.S. Pat. No. Des. 360,741 discloses a precast concrete mailbox unit.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,187,978 discloses a flexible shield or cage surroundinga portion of a mailbox which utilizes a shear pin arrangement.

U. S. Pat. No. 5,207,377 discloses a laterally deformable lower bellowsmember integrally attached to the mailbox subjacent the lower mailboxportion. The lower bellows member allows the mailbox to laterallydeflect from its normal upright position when the mailbox is struck byan object.

These prior devices are often complex and expensive or do not provideadequate protection for the mailbox assembly, particularly the post.

It would be advantageous to provide methods and apparatus for deflectingforces away from the mailbox and post that are simple andcost-effective. It would also be advantageous to provide a device forprotecting a mailbox assembly from damage caused by vandalism. It wouldbe further advantageous to provide a design that can either be retrofiton an existing mailbox assembly or supplied as a complete shieldedmailbox assembly. The invention provides the aforementioned and otheradvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a protective device isprovided for a mailbox assembly. The protective device includes an uppershield adapted for attachment to a mailbox and a lower shield adaptedfor attachment to a mailbox post. Outer surfaces of the upper and lowershields are contoured to deflect forces away from the mailbox and themailbox post, respectively.

In an exemplary embodiment, the outer surfaces of the upper and lowershields may have rounded surfaces. For example, the outer surface of theupper shield can be semicircular in a horizontal plane and the outersurface of the lower shield can be semicircular in a vertical plane.

The lower shield may be contiguous to the upper shield. The upper shieldand the lower shield can be formed as a single unit. The upper shieldmay have a notch for operating a flag. The lower shield can extend fromabout a bottom of the mailbox to about a ground level.

In a further example embodiment of the present invention, at least onemailbox biasing member may be interposed between the upper shield andthe mailbox for maintaining a distance between the mailbox and the uppershield. At least one mount may be provided for the mailbox biasingmember. The mount may be adapted to dampen forces applied against theupper shield. The mount may be interposed between at least one of: (i)the upper shield and the mailbox biasing member; and (ii) the mailboxand the mailbox biasing member.

In addition, at least one post biasing member may be interposed betweenthe lower shield and the mailbox post for maintaining a distance betweenthe post and the lower shield. At least one mount may be provided forthe post biasing member. The mount may be adapted to dampen forcesapplied against the lower shield. The mount may be interposed between atleast one of: (i) the lower shield and the post biasing member; and (ii)the post and the post biasing member.

The upper and lower shields may be adapted to be removably attached tothe mailbox and the mailbox post, respectively. For example, the upperand lower shields may be attached to the mailbox and the mailbox postusing at least one of bolts, screws, straps, clamps, zip ties, or thelike.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, ashielded mailbox assembly is provided. The shielded mailbox assemblyincludes a shielded mailbox stand and a shielded mailbox adapted to bemounted on the shielded mailbox stand. The shielded mailbox includes anintegral upper shield and a mailbox. The shielded mailbox stand includesan integral lower shield and a mailbox stand. The outer surfaces of theintegral upper and lower shields are contoured to deflect forces awayfrom the mailbox and the mailbox stand, respectively. For example, theouter surfaces may be rounded or angular surfaces. The shielded mailboxstand may include a newspaper holder interposed between the integralupper shield and the mailbox.

An exemplary method of protecting a mailbox assembly is also provided inaccordance with the present invention. The method includes attaching anupper shield to a mailbox and attaching a lower shield to a mailboxpost. The outer surfaces of the upper shield and the lower shield arecontoured to deflect forces away from the mailbox and the mailbox post,respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction withthe appended drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals denotelike elements, and

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a mailbox andmailbox shield;

FIG. 2 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a mailbox assemblyand protective device;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a mailbox assemblyand protective device;

FIG. 4 is a cut-away view of an exemplary embodiment of a mailbox postshowing a lower shield top view;

FIG. 5A illustrates the forces of plowed snow impacting a prior artmailbox post;

FIG. 5B illustrates the forces of plowed snow impacting a post with anexemplary embodiment of a protective device in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a mailbox assemblyand a protective device constructed as an integral unit;

FIG. 7 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a mailbox assemblyand a protective device constructed as an integral unit;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a mailboxassembly and a protective device constructed as an integral unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The ensuing detailed description provides exemplary embodiments only,and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configurationof the invention. Rather, the ensuing detailed description of theexemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with anenabling description for implementing an embodiment of the invention. Itshould be understood that various changes may be made in the functionand arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

The present invention provides exemplary mailbox protective deviceswhich serve to protect a mailbox and/or a mailbox post from, forexample, forces caused by snow and debris thrown from a snowplow or fromforces generated by high winds. The mailbox protective devices of thepresent invention also provide protection against vandalism. The mailboxprotective device can be constructed for attachment to an existingmailbox and post, or constructed integrally with a mailbox and postassembly. The mailbox protective device provides protection for themailbox assembly by providing an upper shield to protect the mailbox anda lower shield to protect a mailbox post. Corresponding methods forprotecting a mailbox assembly are also provided in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a protectivedevice 30 in accordance with the present invention mounted to a separatemailbox assembly 20. The mailbox assembly 20 includes a mailbox 22 and amailbox post 24. The protective device includes an upper shield 32 and alower shield 34. The upper shield 32 can approximately cover the mailbox22. The lower shield 34 can approximately cover the mailbox post 24between a bottom of the mailbox 23 and a ground level 28 along a firstlength 26. The mailbox post 24 can be fixedly secured below ground level28 by a permanent structural material (e.g. concrete).

FIG. 2 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the protectivedevice 30 removably mounted to the mailbox assembly 20. The upper shield32 and the lower shield 34 can be provided as an integral unit. Theupper shield 32 and the lower shield 34 may be constructed of a durableplastic or the like, or of a metal such as aluminum, steel, or the like.

An outer surface 33 of the upper shield 32 may be contoured to deflectforces, such as those generated by thrown snow and debris or by highwinds, away from the mailbox 22.

For example, the outer surface 33 of the upper shield 32 may be rounded.In particular, the upper shield 32 can be semicircular in a horizontalplane. For example, the upper shield 32 may extend above and below themailbox 22 and be constructed with a radius R1 extending fromapproximately the center of the mailbox 22. The rounded outer surface 33of the upper shield 32 deflects forces away from the mailbox 22.

The lower shield 34 can extend along a first length 26 of the mailboxpost 24 between the bottom of the mailbox 23 and the ground level 28.The lower shield 34 need not extend to the ground level 28 in all cases.The protection afforded the mailbox post 24 is increased as the lowershield 34 extends closer to the ground level 28.

The protective device 30 further may include means for removablymounting the protective device 30 to the mailbox assembly 20. Mailboxties 50 may be utilized to removably attach the upper shield 32 to themailbox 22. The mailbox ties 50 are shown as commercial grade zip tiesthat pass through mailbox ties slots 52 provided in the upper shield 32.The zip tie is then wrapped around the mailbox 22 and zip hooked nearthe mailbox 22. Alternative means to removably attach the upper shield32 to the mailbox 22, not shown, may be utilized including wire ties,string, straps, clamps, or the like. Additional alternative means, notshown, for attaching the upper shield 32 to the mailbox 22 may includefasteners such as lag bolts or screws passing through the upper shield32 directly into the mailbox 22.

Post ties 38 may be utilized to removably attach the lower shield 34 tothe mailbox post 24. The post ties 38 are shown as commercial grade zipties that pass through post tie slots 40 provided in the lower shield34. The zip tie is then wrapped around the mailbox post 24 and ziphooked near the mailbox post 24. Alternative means to removably attachthe lower shield 34 to the mailbox post 24, not shown, may be utilizedincluding wire ties, string, straps, clamps, or the like. Additionalalternative means, not shown, for attaching the lower shield 34 to themailbox post 24 may include fasteners such as lag bolts or screwspassing through the lower shield 34 directly into the mailbox post 24.The means for attaching the protective device 30 to the mailbox assembly20 should be selected to function effectively at sub-freezingtemperatures as will often be the case with snowplow debris.

At least one post biasing member 44 may be interposed between the post24 and the lower shield 34 to maintain a first distance 48 between thelower shield 34 and the mailbox post 24. A post biasing member recess 42is provided in the lower shield 34 to improve the aesthetics of theprotective device 30. A cover (not shown) may be provided to furtherhide the post biasing member 44 and improve the aesthetics of thedevice. At least one post biasing member mount 46 may be interposedbetween the post biasing member 44 and the mailbox post 24 or the postbiasing member 44 and the lower shield 34. In combination, the postbiasing member 44 and the mount 46 act to dampen forces applied againstthe lower shield 34 in order to reduce damage to the mailbox post 24 andprovide stress relief when a force is applied against the protectivedevice 30. The post biasing member 44 is shown as a lag bolt but may beprovided as any adjustable, rigid mounting means such as a machinescrew, wood screw, hex bolt, shoulder bolt, a metal or plastic rod(which may be partially or completely threaded), or the like. The postbiasing member mount 46 may be a flexible mount (e.g. a rubber bumper, anipple, a spring coil, or the like) suitable for dampening forcesgenerated between the lower shield 34 and the mailbox post 24. Suchforces may be due to, for example, debris impacting the lower shield 34,such as snow and rocks thrown from a snowplow. Forces generated betweenthe lower shield 34 and the mailbox post 24 may also include forcesgenerated by high winds.

At least one mailbox biasing member 56 may be interposed between themailbox 22 and the upper shield 32 to maintain a second distance 59between the upper shield 32 and the mailbox 22. A mailbox biasing memberrecess 54 is provided in the upper shield 32 to improve the aestheticsof the protective device 30. A cover (not shown) may be provided tofurther hide the mailbox biasing member 56 and improve the aesthetics ofthe device. At least one mailbox biasing member mount 58 may beinterposed between the mailbox biasing member 56 and the mailbox 22 orthe mailbox biasing member 56 and the upper shield 32. In combination,the mailbox biasing member 56 and the mount 58 act to dampen forcesapplied against the upper shield 32 in order to reduce damage to themailbox 22 and provide stress relief when a force is applied against theprotective device 30. The mailbox biasing member 56 is shown as a lagbolt but may be provided as any adjustable, rigid mounting means such asa machine screw, wood screw, hex bolt, shoulder bolt, a metal or plasticrod (which may be partially or completely threaded), or the like. Themailbox biasing member mount 58 may be a flexible mount (e.g. a rubberbumper, a nipple, a spring coil, or the like) adapted for dampeningforces generated between the upper shield 32 and the mailbox 22. Suchforces may be due to, for example, debris impacting the upper shield 32,such as snow and rocks thrown from a snowplow. Forces generated betweenthe upper shield 32 and the mailbox 22 may also include forces generatedby high winds.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the protectivedevice 30 removably mounted to the mailbox assembly 20. A flag indent 62can be provided in the upper shield 32 to allow access and visibilityfor a standard mailbox flag 60. The flag indent 60 should be limited toa minimum size to allow adequate visibility without substantiallyreducing the size of the upper shield 32, thereby providing the maximumsemicircular surface area. Alternatively, a standard mailbox flag 60 maybe mounded on the upper shield 32 to eliminate the need to provide aflag indent 60. An address flat 64 may be provided on the upper shield32 to provide a surface for address numerals 66.

FIG. 4 is a cut-away view of an exemplary mailbox post 24 showing alower shield top view. An outer surface 35 of the lower shield 34 may becontoured to deflect forces, such as those generated by thrown snow anddebris or by high winds, away from the mailbox post 24. For example, theouter surface 35 of the lower shield 34 may be rounded. In particular,the lower shield 34 can be semicircular in a vertical plane. Forexample, the lower shield 34 may extend laterally outside the mailboxpost 24 and be constructed with a radius R2 extending from approximatelythe center of the post 24. The rounded outer surface 35 of the lowershield 34 deflects forces away from the mailbox post 24.

FIG. 5A illustrates how a force 70 impacts a prior art mailbox post 24.Such force 70 may be due to, for example, debris such as snow and rocksthrown from a snowplow or forces generated by high winds. The force 70will contact the mailbox post 24 approximately perpendicularly as shown.Therefore, the resulting force 72 acting on the post 24 is not deflectedto any significant degree. The force 70 will also impact a prior artmailbox, not shown, in a similar manner.

FIG. 5B illustrates how the forces of plowed snow impact a mailbox post24 with a lower shield 34 in accordance with the present invention. Theforce 70 generated by a snowplow or other means will contact the lowershield 34 approximately perpendicular to the mailbox post 24 as shown.However, only a small portion of the force 70 impacts the lower shield34 approximately perpendicularly as a result of the contoured lowerouter surface 35. The majority of the force 70 will be deflected by thelower shield 34 (shown as deflected force 74). The resulting force 72acting on the post 24 is therefore equal to the force 70 reduced bydeflected force 74. In addition, any force that is not deflected will bedampened by the mounts 46 and 58 for the biasing members 44 and 56. Themailbox post 24 with the protective lower shield 34 can thereforewithstand a greater force 70 prior to breaking. An additional benefit ofthe design may include shedding the snow around the mailbox post 24, notshown, preventing snow build-up and reducing the weight on the mailboxpost 24. The same method of force reduction on mailbox 22 is achievedwith the upper shield 32 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view of an example embodiment of a shielded mailboxassembly 100. The shielded mailbox assembly 100 may include a shieldedmailbox 102 and a shielded mailbox stand 104 as an integral partthereof. The shielded mailbox assembly 100 can be constructed of aheavy-duty polymer similar to commercially available mailbox assemblies.The shielded mailbox 102 and the shielded mailbox stand 104 may beformed as a single unit. A ground post 106 may be separately provided.The ground post 106 is typically a 4″×4″ square wood post but mayalternatively be any heavy material such as steel, plastic, or heavygauge aluminum in any shape, including circular, or size, suitable forpermanent fixation below ground level 28 by such means as concrete, notshown. The shielded mailbox 102 is supported by the shielded mailboxstand 104. The shielded mailbox stand 104 is fixedly mounted to theground post 106 by a plurality of ground post fasteners 130. The groundpost fastener is an adjustable, rigid mounting member such as a lagbolt, machine screw, wood screw, hex bolt, shoulder bolt, a metal orplastic rod (which may be partially or completely threaded), or thelike. A ground post recess 124 may be provided in the shielded mailboxstand 104 to provide a receiving means for the ground post 106.

The shielded mailbox 102 includes an integral upper shield 110 that canbe constructed simultaneously with a mailbox 22, preferably in a moldingprocess so that the integral upper shield 110 is a permanent feature ofthe shielded mailbox 102. The outer surface 112 of the integral uppershield 110 may be contoured to deflect forces away from said mailbox 22.For example, the outer surface 112 of the integral upper shield 110 maybe rounded. In particular, the outer surface of integral upper shield110 can have a semicircular design in the horizontal plane. For example,the integral upper shield 110 may extend above and below the mailbox 22and be constructed with a radius R3 extending from approximately thecenter of the mailbox 22. The rounded upper outer surface 112 on theintegral upper shield 110 deflects forces away from the mailbox 22. Anewspaper holder 116 can be provided between the mailbox 22 and theintegral upper shield 110.

The shielded mailbox stand 104 includes an integral lower shield 120 anda mailbox stand 126, preferably formed simultaneously in a moldingprocess so that the integral lower shield 120 and the mailbox stand 126are permanent features of the shielded mailbox stand 104. The outersurface 122 of the integral lower shield 120 may be contoured to deflectforces away from the stand 104. For example, the outer surface 122 ofthe integral lower shield 120 may be rounded. In particular, the outersurface 122 of the integral lower shield 120 can be a semicirculardesign in the vertical plane. The integral lower shield 120 may extendapproximately from a bottom of the shielded mailbox 108 to the groundlevel 28 along a second length 110. The rounded integral lower shield120 deflects forces away from the shielded mailbox stand 104.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an example embodiment of a mailbox assembly andprotective device constructed as an integral unit. A flag 60 can bepivotally mounted by means of a flag mount 114 to the outer surface 112of the integral upper shield 110. The flag mount 114 may be, as iscommon in the art, as a rivet or the like. An integral address flat 118may be formed on the integral upper outer surface 112 during the moldingprocess. The integral address flat 118 is a flat surface on the outersurface 112. The height of the integral address flat 118 should belimited as much as possible to retain the contour of the integral uppershield 110. Address numerals 66 in accordance with postal servicespecifications can be affixed to the integral address flat 118.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further example embodiment of amailbox protective device 200 in accordance with the present invention.The protective device 200 includes a shielded mailbox 202 and a postshield 204 as an integral part thereof. The shielded mailbox 202 issimilar to the shielded mailbox 102 described in connection with FIGS. 6and 7. However, the shielded mailbox 202 includes a cut-out or indent 62for the flag 60. The shielded mailbox 202 and the post shield 204 may beformed as a single unit. A ground post 206 may be separately provided.The shielded mailbox 202 is supported by the post 206 when the postshield 204 is secured thereto. The post shield 204 may be fixedlymounted to the ground post 206 by a plurality of ground post ties 38, asdiscussed above in connection with FIGS. 1-4, or by alternative means,such as lag bolts, screws, and the like.

The shielded mailbox 202 includes an integral upper shield 210 that canbe constructed simultaneously with a mailbox 22, preferably in a moldingprocess so that the integral upper shield 210 is a permanent feature ofthe shielded mailbox 202. The outer surface 212 of the integral uppershield 110 may be contoured to deflect forces away from said mailbox 22,as discussed above in connection with FIGS. 6 and 7. For example, theouter surface 212 of the integral upper shield 210 may be rounded. Therounded upper outer surface 212 on the integral upper shield 210deflects forces away from the mailbox 22. A newspaper holder 116 can beprovided between the mailbox 22 and the integral upper shield 210.

The post shield 204 is adapted to be secured to a mailbox post 206. Thepost shield and the shielded mailbox 202 are preferably formedsimultaneously in a molding process to provide a one-piece protectivedevice 200. The outer surface 222 of the post shield 204 may becontoured to deflect forces away from the post 206. For example, theouter surface 222 of the post shield 204 may be rounded.

The embodiments of the present invention are shown in the Figures anddiscussed above as having rounded outer surfaces for deflecting forcesaway from the mailbox assembly. However, those skilled in the art willappreciate that alternative designs for the outer surfaces may be usedwhich can act to deflect forces away from the mailbox assembly. Forexample, such designs may include outer surfaces having angled contours,or outer surfaces having a combination of angled and rounded contoursdesigned to deflect forces away from the mailbox assembly. For example,the outer surface of the lower shield may be angular in a verticalplane, while the outer surface of the upper shield may be rounded in ahorizontal plane.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the majority of thefeatures discussed above and shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5 areequally applicable to the embodiments of the integral unit discussed inconnection with FIGS. 6-8, and that various features of the differentembodiments may be combined to produce further embodiments. For example,post biasing members 44 and mounts 46 shown in FIG. 2 may be used withthe post shield 204 of the FIG. 8 embodiment. Other combinations will beapparent to those skilled in the art.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings without departing from the essential scopethereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited tothe particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated forcarrying out this invention, but that the invention will include allembodiments falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. A protective device for a mailbox assembly comprising: an uppershield adapted for attachment to a mailbox; a lower shield adapted forattachment to a mailbox post; wherein outer surfaces of said upper andlower shields are contoured to deflect forces away from said mailbox andsaid mailbox post, respectively.
 2. A protective device in accordancewith claim 1, wherein: said outer surfaces of said upper and lowershields comprise rounded surfaces.
 3. A protective device in accordancewith claim 1, wherein: said outer surface of said upper shield issemicircular in a horizontal plane; and said outer surface of said lowershield is semicircular in a vertical plane.
 4. A protective device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein: said lower shield is contiguous tosaid upper shield.
 5. A protective device according to claim 1, wherein:said upper shield and said lower shield are formed as a single unit. 6.A protective device according to claim 1 wherein: said upper shield hasa notch for operating a flag.
 7. A protective device according to claim1 wherein: said lower shield extends from about a bottom of said mailboxto about a ground level.
 8. A protective device according to claim 1,further comprising: at least one mailbox biasing member interposedbetween said upper shield and said mailbox for maintaining a distancebetween said mailbox and said upper shield.
 9. A protective device inaccordance with claim 8, further comprising: at least one mount for saidmailbox biasing member, said mount adapted to dampen forces appliedagainst said upper shield.
 10. A protective device in accordance withclaim 9, wherein: said mount is interposed between at least one of: (i)said upper shield and said mailbox biasing member; and (ii) said mailboxand said mailbox biasing member.
 11. A protective device in accordancewith claim 1, further comprising: at least one post biasing memberinterposed between said lower shield and said mailbox post formaintaining a distance between said post and said lower shield.
 12. Aprotective device in accordance with claim 11, further comprising: atleast one mount for said post biasing member, said mount adapted todampen forces applied against said lower shield.
 13. A protective devicein accordance with claim 12, wherein: said mount is interposed betweenat least one of: (i) said lower shield and said post biasing member; and(ii) said post and said post biasing member.
 14. A protective device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein: said upper and lower shields areadapted to be removably attached to said mailbox and said mailbox post,respectively.
 15. A protective device in accordance with claim 14,wherein: said upper and lower shields are attached to said mailbox andsaid mailbox post using at least one of bolts, screws, straps, clamps,or zip ties.
 16. A protective device in accordance with claim 1,wherein: said outer surfaces of said upper and lower shields compriseangular surfaces.
 17. A protective device in accordance with claim 1,wherein: said outer surface of said upper shield is angular in ahorizontal plane; and said outer surface of said lower shield is angularin a vertical plane.
 18. A shielded mailbox assembly comprising: ashielded mailbox stand; a shielded mailbox adapted to be mounted on saidshielded mailbox stand; said shielded mailbox comprising an integralupper shield and a mailbox; said shielded mailbox stand comprising anintegral lower shield and a mailbox stand; wherein outer surfaces ofsaid integral upper and lower shields are contoured to deflect forcesaway from said mailbox and said mailbox stand, respectively.
 19. Ashielded mailbox assembly according to claim 18 further comprising: anewspaper holder interposed between said integral upper shield and saidmailbox.
 20. A method of protecting a mailbox assembly comprising:attaching an upper shield to a mailbox; attaching a lower shield to amailbox post; wherein outer surfaces of said upper shield and said lowershield are contoured to deflect forces away from said mailbox and saidmailbox post, respectively.